Cookies:

Apple Raisin Spice Cookies

1C whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 T cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
1/2 C raisins, finely ground
2 T vegetable oil
1 egg white
1/4 C unsweetened frozen apple juice concentrate
1/2 tsp maple flavoring
1/2 C pecan halves and pieces
1 small apple, coarsely ground

Mix dry ingredients. Add finely ground raisins and mix well. Combine wet ingredients. Add to dry ingredients and beat well. Reserve 36 pecan quarters from 1/2 C of pecans. Chop remaining nuts and add to mixture. Mix in coarsely ground apple. Drop by level tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Press pecan quarter into each cookie center and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown. Lightly cover cookies with a towel for several hours or overnight. Finished cookies will be moist and chewy.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/3 softened stick unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 firmly packed cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
PREPARATION: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugars until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and the vanilla and mix well. Add the flour mixture and beat thoroughly. Stir in the chocolate chips.
4. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving several inches between for expansion. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Makes 2 to 3 dozen cookies.

Now here is a cookie recipe, you are going to want to use all year! From an avid reader, Dale.

Choose a Cookie Dough
* Please pick a flavor before you start baking because some ingredients will vary depending on which of the seven versions you choose. *
Basic Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. Vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Variations:
Fruit Oatmeal Rounds: Prepare dough as directed below, but substitute 1 cup of rolled oats for 1 cup of flour. Stir 1 tsp. of ground cinnamon into the flour mixture. Also, stir a 6 oz. package of mixed dried fruit bits or raisins into the dough. Bake as directed.

Peanut Butter Buddies: Prepare dough as directed below, but add 1/2 cup peanut butter along with the eggs and vanilla. Also, stir a 12 oz. package of peanut butter chips into the dough. Bake as directed.

Malted Milk Treats: Prepare dough as directed below, but substitute 1/4 cup instant malted milk powder for 1/4 cup of the flour. Also, stir in 1 1/2 cups chopped-up malted milk balls into the dough. Bake as directed.

Macadamia Mania: Prepare dough as directed below, but stir 2 cups of coarsely chopped white chocolate baking bar and 3 1/2 oz. of macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped, into dough. Bake as directed.

Double Chocolate Delights: Prepare dough as directed below, but substitute 1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder for 1/2 cup of the flour. Also stir a 12 oz. package of semi-sweet chocolate chip pieces into the dough. Bake as directed.
Chocolate Candy Cookies: Prepare dough as directed below, but stir 2 cups of candy-coated milk chocolate pieces into the dough. Bake as directed.

Super-Chunk Chippers: Prepare dough as directed below, but stir 1 cup of coarsely chopped semi-sweet chocolate, 1 cup coarsely chopped milk chocolate and 1 cup chopped pecans into the dough. Drop dough from a 1/4 cup measuring cup about 4&quoT; apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.&nbsP;

Flatten the cookies slightly with a spoon. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Makes 18 cookies.

To make any variation in advance: Wrap the dough in freezer wrap and freeze for up to 6 months. Before baking, thaw dough overnight in the refrigerator. Bake as directed.

Basic Directions:
1) In a large mixing bowl beat the shortening and butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar and baking soda. Beat until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until combined. Beat or stir in flour. Use the dough immediately or cover and chill for up to 24 hours.
2) Drop slightly rounded tablespoons of cookie dough 2&quoT; apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
3) Bake at 375 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Remove the cookies and cool on a wire rack. Makes about 48 cookies.

And last but not least, from our friend Donna, without whom, I would have had to really struggle with my holiday columns. Thank you, dear friend.

Sugar Cookies
1 cup Imperial margarine
2/3 cup sugar
cream thoroughly
1 beaten egg
2 1/4 cup flour (or a little less) LOL Mom's words
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt&nbsP;
1 teaspoon vanilla
add these 5 ingredients to the creamed mixture
Chill and roll out thinly (the thickness is important)
Bake at 375
Now here comes the best part and it makes the cookie. I can't really give you measurements, so here goes.
1 stick of Butter
Powdered Sugar
Vanilla
Use softened butter, add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing throughly until you have a spreading consistency. Do not make it thin. Spread generously on the cut out cookies and enjoy!